Scapegoating Landlords ?

clutton_2

""But landlords acting properly protects tenants. We regularly get comments on threads that were they are advised to change the locks on the door or exclude tenants. "

olly - this makes no sense.. can you re-phrase it please ?

dopester

clutton wrote: »

You never see landlords naming bad tenants in the public domain… and slagging them off in this manner….


I don’t see why this vendetta against landlords should continue…..

clutton wrote: »

then the deleted story about the Brighton landlady who got GMT involved – many posts on this thread just got utterly hysterical and out of control……

Then the follow-on Tent Thread - which is still ongoing – although the media dropped this story ages ago..

That is exactly what I saw in the Brighton landlord/squatter matter.

Except the tenant wasn't a squatter but a tenant, had an extended tenancy agreement running into August. The landlord having stated openly she had a £15 per day late rent penalty, which is how she boosted what she has told the media what the tenant owes her. GMTV to her door, labelling the tenant a squatter. Ect ect ect.

It runs much deeper, as a few of us have found out and shared via the PM system, and I now an even more furious with the landlord's actions than anything I've posted in that thread. You can't say for certain that the tenant was a "bad tenant" because of alleged and unproven arrears (inc penalty fees which would be enough to stress out anyone who'd fallen a little behind to be told they now owed).

dopester

clutton wrote: »

Then the follow-on Tent Thread - which is still ongoing – although the media dropped this story ages ago..

The dropped it because they were in the wrong labelling the tenant as a squatter. The media involved may very well come to find that out and pay for it, if not in this case, then in another if they chose to ever repeat such actions with another tenant.

dopester

clutton wrote: »

Lynz - of course i will always condemn bad landlords... you all know that - and especially barstewards like the one i commented on this morning... but i think that some MSE posters are getting things out of proportion. thats all... Especiallyh if one or two cases are constantly dredged up - the effect on the body of landlords of this country will continue to be negative...

i find it interesting that claims were made that landlords publish bad tenants names.. and only one name has been forthcoming - from the tent thread.

Putting a "rent dodgers" board outside a property is not a tactic i agree with at all, but it does only tell the immediate neighbourhood that a person inside is a non-rent payer but does not give an name... it is not a tactic that is on the web for the whole world to read... unlike some of the comments here on MSE and other boards....

I think putting such a board up tells us more more, (and not in a good way) about the LL - not the tenant

TV shows of the past few years have mostly been "Tenants From Hell", but, not that I've ever seen, "Landlords From Hell."

Such TV shows doesn't mean all tenants are bad, just as not all landlords are bad.

Also it's outrageous. It's your say so the tenant is in arrears and could be used to harass someone not in arrears but who the landlord just wants out of the property for their own ends... such as wanting to move in family member or return to their home.

And like Lynz says.. that thread you're referring to, the cases have been in court and the landlord was sentenced / proved guilty / had to pay damages ect. It's not making it up, or deliberately promoting negativity for your sector, as intelligent people should be able to determine not all tenants are like the bad ones shown on (some) TV shows and news-reports (the ones which don't mislead with ignorance and twisted facts).

lynzpower

I have to say, I know how it feels Clutton : As you may know i used to be a Children & families social worker and the amount of neg programmes, articles, posts on websites, newpapers reports, TV progs is OUT OF CONTROL!

If anyone is a misunderstood profession it is that one. Even my own family thought i was a cruel hooded child snatcher who dragged children from perfect parents into the care system to fill the needs of adopters *rolleyes* However the majority of people have a view on SW's even when they have no real knowledge of what is done.

On a personal level - and the problem is- lots of people have experienced poor housing from LLs. Sometimes they dont even realise it is that bad at the time. The HHSRS and role of EHO is under reported on this site - lets brace ourselves for the winter when we have tenants with no hot water or heating- some will want it fixed - same day- and that is unreasonable, some will go weeks, months without repair. Just like last winter on this site.

tbs624

clutton wrote: »

Because when they first posted they did not realise they had to ask permission to post as they were a Company... they had been suggesting to our new landlords on here that it might be useful for them to join.. When they did ask MSE if they could have permission .. they were refused on the grounds that they were not a big enough organisation.....


On the other hand Deposit Protection Service IS allowed to post to advise tenants -

Presumably MSE must think that new landlords dont need the same level of professional advice here as do tenants

It's not about "professional" advice - it's about consumers advice. The DPS exists to protect tenant's deposits. They are advising consumers.

NLA represent LLs interests

LLs are not the consumers in the LL & T relationship: Ts are , so they have this board, consumer action group and so on.

It's no different from the fact that CAB and Shelter don't deal with LLs, although their webpages provide much useful free advice for both LLs and Ts

LLs have LLzone, singingpig, property tribes, their own association forums. local and national LL associations and so on.... LLs are running a business.

That said, LLs who come on here with their own queries are given plenty of helpful information.

tbs624

olly300 wrote: »

But landlords acting properly protects tenants. We regularly get comments on threads that were they are advised to change the locks on the door or exclude tenants.

LLs should sign up with the RLA/NLA/Landlordlaw, their local councils PRS accreditation scheme or read Shelter's webpages.

Anyone on here who gives out "advice" to LLs (amateur or long standing) to follow processes equating to tenant harassment and illegal eviction, usually gets short shrift from other more knowledgeable posters.

To suggest that NLA et al should have posting rights would be wrong IMO - they have LLs interests at heart, which is a good thing for LLs and a good thing for Ts, if it means that they educate their members, but Ts need unbiased support/information. NLA has other means at its disposal via which to educate its members.

tbs624

coldstreamalways wrote: »

An honest question, if no-one had a BTL property, would all tenants be able to live in a house or flat & afford or be given a mortgage? Would all councils be able to provide enough housing?

Regardless of house prices, I believe some people would never get a mortgage, what happens to them?

Just forming my opinion of LLs and appreciate your input. I am a reluctant LL due to -ve equity but IMO I'm a good one.

Please don't represent LLs as housing saviours, graciously providing the poor and needy with a roof over their head, philanthropists all.

To discuss the whole LL/house price scenario and FTBs being priced out of the market for years would take this thread waaay OT.

The relationship between LL and T is essentially a symbiotic one, and that's especially so in situations such as your own. Your Ts rent is saving you from selling at a loss and you, in return, say you are a "good" LL so presumably stick to your side of the deal.

If you are a "good" LL discussion of the appalling actions of those who are not shouldn't be an issue for you.

Contrary to the "chip on the shoulder" views of a couple of other LLs on here , such discussion is absolutely not about saying that all LLs are law breaking (crim &/orcivil)rogues at worst & incompetent muppets at best.

clutton_2

Lynz says ""amount of neg programmes, articles, posts on websites, newpapers reports, TV progs is OUT OF CONTROL""

Lynz - that is exactly my point.... and the only point .. i am making....

and threads on here which are kept alive un-necessarily are adding to this

Lyns says ""The HHSRS and role of EHO is under reported on this site" - which is precisely why i drew everyone's attention to the very recent successful HHSRS prosecution (rather than to be reading cases over 10 years old !") This case shows current tenants that there IS legislation which works in their favour......

Unfortunately the media rarely choose to develope such a story.....

Dopestar - we have had the several programme about Nicholaas Van Strooten (or whatever his name is) - altho i do agree that programmes about bad landlords seem to be few - as do programmes about bad tenants come to that....

""It's your say so the tenant is in arrears"" - if a tenant shows bank statements or receipts they can prove they are not in arrears - i dont understand your point ....

the landlord said ""she had a £15 per day late rent penalty," - this is utterly unenforceable...

lynzpower

Lynz says ""amount of neg programmes, articles, posts on websites, newpapers reports, TV progs is OUT OF CONTROL""

Lynz - that is exactly my point.... and the only point .. i am making....

and threads on here which are kept alive un-necessarily are adding to this

You say its "unnneccesary" but we have had recent IRD tenants come to the thread as it was on the top page of google.Without it being bumped, then surely its useful

Certainly I know whom to avoid when I am looking for a new place to rent.

Consumer revenge is about hearing about the experiences of others and choosing not to spend your money there, prevention is better than cure.

Indeed Im certainly never going to rent a house from Suzy butler either!